Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has just officially set IT for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 1/9/2018 (SRP $35.99, $28.98, and $44.95, respectively). The Digital HD release is expected on 12/19. These SKUs will all include the theatrical version of the film. (Note that a Director’s Cut is rumored for release at a later date in 2018, but that is not yet confirmed.) The film is based on the book by Stephen King and is directed by Andy Muschietti. The Blu-ray versions will include deleted scenes and 3 featurettes (Pennywise Lives!, The Losers’ Club, and Author of Fear). Both will include Dolby Atmos audio and the 4K disc will include Dolby Vision HDR. [Read on here…]

]]>billhunt@thedigitalbits.com (Bill Hunt)My Two CentsTue, 14 Nov 2017 12:17:36 -0800Birth of a Nation, October Sky, It Came from Outer Space 3D, Pinocchio & Happy Thanksgiving from The Bits!http://www.thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/112316_1630
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/112316_1630

All right, this is going to be our last regular post until Monday, though we will be back on Friday to let you know about any great Blu-ray or 4K deals worth mentioning. But we do have a few things for you...

In release news today, it appears that 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment’s The Birth of a Nation will now street on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release on 1/10.

And Universal Studios Home Entertainment has set October Sky, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, and It Came from Outer Space for Blu-ray release on 2/14. These have been Best Buy exclusives up to now. Note that It Came from Outer Space includes both 2D and Blu-ray 3D on the same disc. You can see the cover artwork below.

Also, Disney’s Pinocchio: Walt Disney Signature Collection Blu-ray is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

Here’s a look at the cover artwork for all of the above (click on the covers to pre-order each on Amazon)...

And that’s all for this week. We’d like to take a moment to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels as you head out to be with family and friends! We’ll see you back here on Friday. Eat lots of good food and watch lots of great movies. Peace out!

The big news today is that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has set a Jerry Maguire: 20th Anniversary Edition for release on Blu-ray on 1/3. The film has been remastered in 4K (though strangely, there’s no 4K Ultra HD release currently announced). New material in the set will include nearly 60 minutes of deleted and extended scenes, the 3-part Jerry Maguire: We Meet Again retrospective documentary, a new written introduction by writer/director Cameron Crowe, a photo gallery, and the film’s soundtrack on CD, as well as legacy extras. You can see the packaging below.

Also, Lionsgate has revealed the next pair of entries in their Vestron Video Collector’s Series Blu-ray line, which are due on 1/31. Look for Bob Balaban’s Parents (1989) and Ken Russell’s The Lair of the White Worm (1988). SRP is $34.97 each. [Read on here…]

Extras on Parents will include audio commentary with director Bob Balaban and producer Bonnie Palef, and isolated score selections track/audio interview with composer Jonathan Elias, 4 featurettes (Leftovers to Be, Mother’s Day, Inside Out, and Vintage Tastes), the film’s theatrical trailer, radio spots, and a photo gallery. The Lair of the White Worm will include audio commentary with director Ken Russell, audio commentary with Lisi Russell (in conversation with film historian Matthew Melia), 3 featurettes (Worm Food: The Effects of The Lair of the White Worm, Cutting for Ken, and Mary, Mary), and an introduction and commentary with producer Dan Ireland.

Meanwhile, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has set the western In a Valley of Violence for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/27. The film stars Ethan Hawke and John Travolta.

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment’s Morgan arrives on Digital HD on 12/2, with the Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray versions expected to follow on 12/13.

Scream Factory has just officially set Slumber Party Massacre II & III for Blu-ray release on 1/17.

Disney, Lucasfilm, and LEGO have just set LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures Complete Season One for Blu-ray and DVD release on 12/6.

Kino Lorber has revealed that they’re working on a Blu-ray and DVD release of Robert Mulligan’s Love with a Proper Stranger (1963), starring Steve McQueen and Natalie Wood. Street date is TBA. Also, No Retreat No Surrender (1986) is due on both formats on 2/21. And look for Deluge (1933), What a Way to Go! (1964), No Highway in the Sky (1951), Prince of Foxes (1949), and The Sicilian Clan (1969) on both formats on 2/7.

Severin Films has set James Herbert’s The Survivor (1981) for Blu-ray and DVD release on 1/10.

And Synapse Films is re-issuing the Coffin Joe films At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul (1964) and This Night I’ll Possess Your Corpse (1967) on DVD on 1/31, along with The Coffin Joe Trilogy which also includes Embodiment of Evil (2008). The two individual films are $19.95 and the Trilogy is $39.95.

Well folks, it’s the Thanksgiving holiday week here in the States... which is also Black Friday Week on the Internet. And that means there probably isn’t going to be a lot of Blu-ray news or announcements to report on over the next few days.

But we do have a couple things for you today. And, as we’re always trying to help you guys get the most of your Blu-ray, DVD, and/or 4K experience, we’re going to point out a few deals each day that might make that easier for you.

The big announcement today is that Disney has just set a Pinocchio: Walt Disney Signature Collection Blu-ray for release on 1/31 (a Digital HD release is anticipated for 1/10). New bonus material will include Walt’s Story Meetings: Pleasure Island (from the press release: “The Pleasure Island scene in Pinocchio had much more development than what is seen in the film. Join Pixar’s Pete Docter and Disney historian and author J.B. Kaufman as they explore artwork recently discovered in Disney’s animation research library revealing some of the attractions, gags and games, which Disney animators created for this iconic location of the film, that never made it on screen.”), In Walt’s Words: Pinocchio (“Hear Walt himself discuss the making of Pinocchio through archival recordings and interviews ”), The Pinocchio Project: When You Wish Upon a Star (“Music influencers Alex G, Tanner Patrick and JR Aquino from Disney’s Maker Studios, a global leader in short-form videos, gather in a creative workspace to create their rendition of the film’s signature song, When You Wish Upon a Star, and produce a fresh new music video.”), and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in Poor Papa (“This recently restored and scored 1927 short features Oswald the Lucky Rabbit who gets multiple visits from the stork and is forced to attempt various methods to help stop the onslaught of baby deliveries.”), plus most of the Classic Bonus Features from previous Blu-ray and DVD releases of the film. You can see the cover artwork above. We’ll post pre-order links when they become available.

Meanwhile, Twilight Time has released the details of their December slate of Blu-ray titles (3,000 units each, due to street on 12/13), including The Barefoot Contessa, The Bullet Train (aka Shinkansen Diabakuha), The Keys to the Kingdom, Nicholas Nickelby (2002), Stardust Memories, and The 3 Worlds of Gulliver. Pre-orders open on Wednesday, November 30th at 1 PM Pacific on Screen Archives Entertainment and the Twilight Time website. Extras are as follows:

The Barefoot Contessa (isolated score track, audio commentary with film historians Julie Kirgo and David Del Valle, stills gallery from the David Del Valle archive, and the original theatrical trailer), The Bullet Train (aka Shinkansen Diabakuha – isolated music and effects track, and the Big Movie, Big Panic: Junya Sato on The Bullet Train featurette), The Keys to the Kingdom (isolated score track, audio commentary with film historians Kenneth Geist and Chris Mankiewicz, and the original theatrical trailer), Nicholas Nickelby (2002 – isolated score track, audio commentary with director Douglas McGrath, 3 featurettes (Creating a Classic: The Making of Nicholas Nickleby, The Cast on the Cast!, and View on the Set Multi-Angle Feature), and the original theatrical trailer), Stardust Memories (isolated score track and the original theatrical trailer), and The 3 Worlds of Gulliver (isolated score track, audio commentary by film historians Randall Cook, C. Courtney Joyner, and Steven C. Smith, 3 featurettes (The Making of The 3 Worlds of Gulliver, The Harryhausen Chronicles, and This Is Dynamation!), and the original theatrical trailer).

Also today, Lionsgate has officially announced The Man Who Fell to Earth: Limited Collector’s Edition for Blu-ray Combo and Digital HD release on 1/24 (SRP $34.99 for Blu-ray). New extras will include interviews with costume designer May Routh, stills photographer David James, fan Sam Taylor-Johnson, and producer Michael Deeley, as well as The Lost Soundtracks featurette. You’ll also get a 1977 French TV interview with David Bowie, and legacy interviews with Candy Clark, writer Paul Mayersberg, cinematographer Tony Richmond, and director Nicolas Roeg. The package will also include a 72-page bound book, a press booklet, 4 art cards, and a mini poster. You can see the packaging below.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has set Little Women (1994), Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights, and Center Stage for release on Blu-ray for the first time on 12/13 as part of their Choice Collection.

And Maltauro Entertainment and Baumant Entertainment have announced the 12/6 Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD release of Never Open the Door.

Now then... let’s get to some of those Amazon Black Friday Week Deals. Today you can find...

LOTS of great deals on 4K Ultra HDTVs (too numerous to mention, though do a bit of research and make sure to pay attention to the specs on each to make sure you’re getting the features you want, like HDR, and “smart” functionality.)

All right, we’ll leave you with a look at a bit of new Blu-ray cover artwork (with Amazon.com preorder links if available)...

We’ll be back tomorrow with more new Blu-ray and 4K reviews. Stay tuned...!

We’re closing out the week with a bit more announcement news, and some more great Amazon Deals. Let’s get those out of the way first, because they’re pretty damn good and you have to act fast on one of them.

All right, in announcement news today, Disney’s Queen of Katwe is officially coming to Blu-ray and DVD on 1/31, with a Digital HD release set for 1/10.

Lionsgate will release The 9th Life of Louis Drax on Blu-ray and DVD on 2/7. The film stars Aaron Paul.

Universal will release Ouija: Origin of Evil on both formats on 1/17, along with a Ouija: Two Movie Collection.

Scream Factory has officially announced the Southern Gothic horror film The Devil’s Dolls for Blu-ray and DVD on 12/6.

This puts a smile on our faces: Kino Lorber will release Scavenger Hunt (1979) on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/10. Also coming that day are David and Bathsheba (1951), and The Unholy Four (1970) aka Chuck Mool. On 1/3, look for Stryker (1983), Loophole (1981), ZPG: Zero Population Growth (1972), The Internecine Project (1974), and Who? (1975) aka Robo Man. You can see some of the cover artwork below.

Arrow Video has set Emiliano Rocha Minter’s We Are the Flesh for Blu-ray and DVD release on 2/14.

In announcement news today, Kino Lorber has just set Prince of Foxes (1949) and No Highway in the Sky (1951) for Blu-ray release on 2/7, with 23 Paces to Baker Street (1956) due to follow on 2/21.

Universal has set Max Steel and Kevin Hart: What Now? for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/10.

And Shout! Factory and Major League Baseball have just officially set the 2-disc The 2016 World Series for Blu-ray and DVD release on 12/6 (SRP $34.99 and $26.99), followed by the 8-disc 2016 World Series Collector’s Edition: Chicago Cubs on both formats on 12/13 (SRP $79.97 and $59.99). The Collector’s Edition includes “all seven complete and uncut World Series games, all wrapped with SleeveStats which offer official stats, game trivia and more to enhance the viewing experience. Also included are a bonus disc of the pennant-clinching NLCS Game 6 at Wrigley Field, as well as four audio options, allowing home audiences to watch the games while listening to either the television broadcast, Cubs Radio Network announcers, the Indians Radio Network or a Spanish-language version of the broadcasts.” 108 years, Cubs fans! That’s a must-have, right there.

All right, over on Amazon.com today they’ve got a trio of great Blu-ray Deals of the Day for you to take advantage of, including:

In announcement news today, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has set The Girl on the Train for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on 1/17, with a Digital HD release due on 1/3. Bonus features will include audio commentary with director Tate Taylor, deleted and extended scenes, and 2 documentary featurettes (The Women Behind the Girl and On Board the Train). [Read on here…]

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment has announced Homeland: The Complete Fifth Season for Blu-ray and DVD release on 1/10. Extras will include 2 featurettes (The Evolution of Carrie Mathison and Homeland in Berlin: Beyond the Wall).

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC have announced the 2/7 Blu-ray and DVD release of the animated Justice League Dark feature film. You’ll be able to buy a Digital HD version on 1/24.

Well Go USA Entertainment has set The Monkey King 2 for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/2, with the Digital release set for 12/6.

And Olive Films has announced that its January 2017 slate will include Hooperman: Season 1 and Hooperman: Season 2 on DVD only, along with Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!, Sabotage, The Men’s Club, and Wagon Tracks all on both Blu-ray and DVD. Street date for all is 1/24.

Also today, Paramount has confirmed (via Amazon pre-order listings) that one their next 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray releases will be Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival. Street date is TBA, but you can see the temp cover artwork below.

The big news today is that Criterion has just announced their February slate of Blu-ray and DVD releases. It begins with Kirsten Johnson’s Cameraperson (Cat #853 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 2/7. Ermanno Olmi’s The Tree of Wooden Clogs (Cat #854 – Blu-ray and DVD) follows on 2/14. Pedro Almodóvar’s Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (licensed from Sony – Cat #855 – Blu-ray and DVD) and Michael Curtiz’s noir masterpiece Mildred Pierce (licensed from Warner – Cat #860 – Blu-ray and DVD) arrive on 2/21. And I’m very pleased to say that the slate ends with Richard Linklater’s The Before Trilogy (also licensed from Warner and Sony – includes Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight – Cat #856 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 2/28. Each will have a significant assortment of bonus features, that you can read more about here. Our Criterion Spines Project page has been updated accordingly, and we’ve got a look at the cover artwork that’s available so far below. [Read on here…]

Lionsgate has just set USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD on 1/24 (SRP $24.99 and $19.98). The film stars Nicolas Cage, Tom Sizemore, and Thomas Jane. Extras include The Making of USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage featurette.

Lionsgate has also set Deepwater Horizon for Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release on 1/10, with the Digital HD release due on 12/20. They have Come and Find Me due on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD on 1/17. And Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life is due on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/3.

And here’s good news: Lionsgate will release The Man Who Fell to Earth: Limited Collector’s Edition on Blu-ray on 1/14 (SRP $34.99). This is the recent StudioCanal restoration. It’s a 3-disc set that includes 2 BDs, a DVD copy, a Digital HD copy, and a 72-page booklet.

HBO will release Ballers: The Complete Second Season on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/31, followed by Girls: The Complete Fifth Season on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/3.

PBS has set Masterpiece: Victoria for Blu-ray and DVD release on 1/31.

Kino Lorber has announced the Blu-ray release of the 1956 Cinemascope classic 23 Paces to Baker Street on 2/21, mastered from a new 4K restoration.

Warner and TNT will release Animal Kingdom: The Complete First Season on Blu-ray and DVD on 2/14.

Finally, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release When the Bough Breaks on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/27, with a Digital HD release due on 12/13.

Also today, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the 20th anniversary today of one of my all-time favorite films, Anthony Minghella’s The English Patient. I saw it on a lark in 1996, in one of the most uncomfortable theaters I’ve ever sat in, and it still blew me away. I’d kill to have this film in 4K Ultra HD with HDR or perhaps in a truly worthy Criterion Blu-ray edition. One can always hope. In the meantime, here’s to The International Sand Club.

It also appears that when Clint Eastwood’s Sully coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray from Warner Bros, our sources suggest that it may be accompanied by Unforgiven (1992) on the format.

Kino Lorber has revealed that they’re working on a new Blu-ray and DVD release of Papa’s Delicate Condition (1963). They’ve also set Framed (1975) for release on both formats on 2/28.

Outsider Pictures has set The Vessel for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/24.

House Lights Media will release When Elephants Were Young on both formats on 1/17.

Fox has set Prison Break: Seasons 1-4 for Blu-ray release on 12/6.

And Universal will release Lego Jurassic World: The Indominus Escape on DVD only on 1/17.

Also, as we’re heading towards Black Friday Week at Amazon.com, there are a few good Blu-ray deals already available from the retailer. We’ll try to mention a few of them each day. Current deals include:

First up today, we’d like to send our warmest wishes to all you veterans out there on this Veterans Day 2016, whether you’re on duty now or have been in the past. From all of us here at The Bits, to you and your families, thank you for your service. Know that it’s appreciated.

On a personal note, these Kurosawa titles are some of my most eagerly awaited Blu-ray releases from The Criterion Collection, and I hope there are many more in the planning stages. I’d love to see an collection of Kurosawa’s early films on the format or, dare I hope, a beautiful remastered Blu-ray of his late overlooked classic, Dersu Uzala (1975). Fingers crossed.

Speaking of reviews, we’re working on several more for next week, including Independence Day: Resurgence in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format. So be sure to watch for that.

In announcement news today, here’s something terrific: Kino’s just revealed that they’re working on a new Blu-ray edition of George Melford’s The Sheik (1921) starring Rudolph Valentino. What’s more, they’ve just set One Million Years B.C. (1966) for Blu-ray release on 2/14, mastered from a brand new 4K restoration of the film. Extras will include both the 100-minute International Cut and the 91-minute U.S. release version, audio commentary by film historian Tim Lucas, 3 interview featurettes (with star Raquel Welch, SFX legend Ray Harryhausen, and actress Martine Beswick), an animated montage of posters and images, and theatrical trailers. You can see the cover artwork below.

Meanwhile, Scream Factory has announced the IFC Midnight release of Antibirth on Blu-ray and DVD, due tentatively in February.

Lionsgate has set The Whole Truth for Blu-ray and DVD release on 1/17/17, starring Keanu Reeves and Jim Belushi.

A studio listed as IMES9 has set Paul Schrader’s Dog Eat Dog for Blu-ray and DVD release on 12/27, starring Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe.

And Shout! Factory and MLB have set the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Collector’s Edition for Blu-ray and DVD release on 12/13.

All right, here’s a little bit of cover artwork to leave you with (click on the covers to pre-order the titles on Amazon.com)...

Don’t forget that Denis Villeneuve’s The Arrival opens in theaters this weekend and it’s supposed to be one of the great high-concept science fiction films to come along in many years. It’s worth noting, if you don’t already know, that Villeneuve’s next film is going to be the sequel Blade Runner 2049. So go check out The Arrival. I sure will be this weekend.

Well, folks... there’s not much in the way of news to report this afternoon, apart from the obvious o’course. But we do have a few odds and ends for you today. And we’re working on a bunch of new Blu-ray and 4K reviews, two of which I’ve got for you now.

I’ve posted reviews of Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games and Warner’s Pacific Rim, each in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format. Both look great. Pacific Rim is a real HDR stunner, though The Hunger Games is the better value in terms of content and extras. But both are well worth a look if you’re a fan of the format. [Read on here…]

In terms of release news today, it appears that CBS and Paramount will be releasing Star Trek: Enterprise on both Blu-ray and DVD in a Complete Series package on 1/10/17.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has set Mick Jackson’s Denial for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/3/17, starring Rachel Weisz and Tom Wilkinson.

Universal is re-issuing the Fifty Shades of Grey: Unrated Edition on Blu-ray on 1/3 as well. Just in time for Valentine’s, I guess?

Scream Factory has set Deadtime Stories for Blu-ray/DVD Combo release on 2/28/17, and will also release a Slumber Party Massacre II/Slumber Party Massacre III double feature on 1/17.

Shout! Factory, in the meantime, has set Colors for release on 2/21 as part of their Shout Select line.

Image Entertainment is releasing a Crystal Lake Memories/Never Sleep Again double feature on Blu-ray on 1/10. You can see the cover artwork below.

Well Go USA will release The Monkey King 2 on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/3.

The Film Detective will release The Man Who Skied Down Everest (1975) on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/13.

Kino Lorber has cooked up a Blu-ray double feature of Porky’s II: The Next Day (1983) and Porky’s Revenge (1985) for release on 12/6. They’ve also announced that they’re working on a new 4K restored Blu-ray release of Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms (1957), directed by Charles Vidor. Coming too (to Blu-ray and/or DVD) are Marjorie Morningstar (1958), Gunsmoke: The Long Ride (1993), Compulsion (1959), and The Pied Piper (1972).

Here’s a look at a trio of the titles we’ve just mentioned (you can pre-order them on Amazon now)...

In announcement news today, and speaking of Scream Factory, the company has officially set the Black Christmas: Collector’s Edition and the Dreamscape: Collector’s Edition for Blu-ray release on 12/13, both mastered from new 2K film scans. Each will offer a ton of special features both new and legacy (see here and here for a complete list), including the Film and Furs: Remembering Black Christmas (with Art Hindle) and Victims and Virgins: Remembering Black Christmas (with Lynne Griffin) featurettes on Black Christmas, as well as The Actor’s Journey (with Dennis Quaid), the Dreamscapes and Dreammakers retrospective (with director Joseph Ruben, co-writer David Loughery, actor David Patrick Kelly and other members of the special effects team), Nightmares and Dreamsnakes (with Craig Reardon, David Patrick Kelley and others), and a new In-Depth Conversation Between Bruce Cohn Curtis and Co-Writer/Producer Chuck Russell on Dreamscape.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros Home Entertainment has announced a new Citizen Kane: 75th Anniversary Blu-ray for release on 11/15 (SRP $19.98), though it doesn’t look like it’s going to include any new special features.

Sony and MGM have just announced the Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of Antoine Fuqua’s The Magnificent Seven remake for 12/20, with a Digital HD release due on 12/6. The 4K release will include Dolby Atmos audio. Extras will include Vengeance Mode, deleted scenes, and 6 featurettes (Gunslingers, The Taking of Rose Creek, Magnificent Music, Directing the Seven, The Seven, and Rogue Bogue).

20th Century Fox and DreamWorks have announced that they’re releasing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, and more on Digital HD starting tomorrow (11/8).

Lionsgate will release Con Man: Season One with Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion on Digital HD tomorrow as well.

And Kino Lorber is releasing Oren Shai’s noir thriller The Frontier on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/6, with a digital release again due tomorrow via all the usual outlets.

Also today, I mentioned that I spent some time up at Sony Pictures Home Entertainment last week talking with some of the people working on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format, and I’ve learned a few interesting things. First of all, more than 80,000 stand-alone 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players have been sold here in the States in the 9 months since the format first launched. Nearly 90 titles are now available, with that number expected push well past 100 by Christmas. More critically, the 1 millionth 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc has just sold at retail here in the States, representing more than $25 million in consumer spending. And shipments of 4K Ultra HDTVs have increased by more than 80% this year, which means that by the end of the year the displays will be installed in some 16% of US households (a number that’s expected to increase to 35% by 2019). What does all this mean? Well, the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format is actually well ahead of the adoption curve of regular Blu-ray in the first 9 months of its launch – probably not surprising as there’s no format war for consumers to contend with this time. I’ve also learned – separately, I might add, from other industry sources – that the final remaining holdout studio, Disney, is quietly preparing to begin releasing titles on the format in 2017. I’ll post more on that as I’m able.

One message that you can rest assured I passed on to the powers that be, is the need for all of the studio to release a better slate of A and B-list catalog titles on the format – titles that people really actually want to buy, and that would be attractive in 4K with HDR. While I’m sure that Sausage Party, Pineapple Express, and The 5th Wave have their fans, no one actually wants to own them on 4K.

In any case, it does seem that consumers are responding well to 4K and that the format has a bright future. At the very least, I’m told that there’s pleasant surprise at all of the major Hollywood supporting studios at how strongly consumers have embraced the format thus far.

All right, here’s a look at a couple more titles on Blu-ray and 4K – all three are available for pre-order on Amazon by clicking on the covers...

I’ll be back in the morning to distract you all from Election Day (and don’t forget to vote, whatever your preference!) with a couple new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray releases. See you then...

Sorry for the lack of updates this week. Two causes for this: 1) We’re making on-going improvements to The Bits’ server and the site itself, which are taking more time than expected, and 2) I’ve been having studio meetings all this week on the latest developments in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, as well as working on a lot of 4K UHD reviews for the site. So rather than posting late on a Friday, when everyone is getting ready for the weekend, I’ll just bid you all to have a great weekend. We’ll resume our regular daily posts on The Bits on Monday, with some good 4K updates and also the usual Blu-ray and DVD news. Cheers and thanks for your patience.

We’ve got some good announcement news to report today, a mix of new and catalog releases.

First up, Lionsgate has officially set Blair Witch for release on Blu-ray Combo, DVD, and Digital HD on 1/3/17 (SRP $39.99 and $29.95 for the discs). Extras will include audio commentary with director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett, the House of Horrors: Exploring the Set featurette, and the 6-part Never Ending Night: The Making of Blair Witch documentary (includes Primal Fear: Story Origins, Ambiguous Loss: The Cast, P.O.V.: On Location, Trapped in the Time Loop: Editing, Distorted Reality: Music and Sound Design, and The Reveal). You can see the cover artwork to the left and below. [Read on here…]

Disney and DreamWorks Pictures have set director Derek Cianfrance’s The Light Between Oceans for Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD release on 1/24. The film stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Rachel Weisz. You can see the cover artwork below.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has set Don’t Breathe for Blu-ray and DVD release on 11/29.

Our friends at Scream Factory have announced Deadtime Stories (1986) for Blu-ray/DVD Combo release on 2/28. Other titles newly-revealed as planned for release on Blu-ray in 2017 by Scream include Tales from the Hood (1995), Firestarter (1984), Demented (1980), What’s the Matter with Helen? (1971), The Screaming Skull (1958), Psycho (1998), The Vagrant (1992), The Angry Red Planet (1959), and Virus (1999).

Cartoon Network and Warner Home Video have set Adventure Time: The Complete Sixth Season for Blu-ray release on 11/25.

CBS Home Entertainment (via Paramount) is releasing The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series Blu-ray on 12/13 (SRP $126.99, but Amazon has it for just $98.99). This is the original classic series that was previously released by Image, with the same disc count (though we’re not sure if all the same extras will carry over).

Also today, Kino Lorber has revealed that they’re working on a new Blu-ray release of The Crucible (1996). Street date is TBA. By the way, Kino is also releasing a fantastic Buster Keaton Collection on Blu-ray on 11/15. It’s a 14-disc BD set that basically includes all their previously-released Keaton BD titles in one package. You can see the cover artwork below.

The Cohen Film Collection will release James Ivory’s Howards End on Blu-ray on 12/6.

SGL Entertainment has set The Void for release Blu-ray and DVD on 11/22.

And FilmRise will release Harry and Snowman on Blu-ray and DVD on 11/22 as well.

One last note: Criterion Blu-ray and DVD titles are now on sale at Barnes & Noble stores (and also via their website) for 50% off for a limited time starting today. So act fast if there’s anything you’re looking for.

We’ll leave you with a look at the cover artwork for some of the titles mentioned above. Click on each image to pre-order them on Amazon.com if pre-orders are available (and remember that doing so helps to support our work here at The Bits which we appreciate!)...

Now I’m off to work on some more new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray reviews. Stay tuned...

And in announcement news today, Well Go USA Entertainment has just officially set Phantasm: Remastered and Phantasm: Ravager for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/6. Phantasm: Remastered will include audio commentary with director Don Coscarelli and cast members Michael Baldwin, Angus Scrimm, & Bill Thornbury, the Graveyard Cars featurette, vintage interviews from 1979 with Don Coscarelli and Angus Scrimm, and deleted scenes. Phantasm: Ravager will include audio commentary with director David Hartman and writer/producer Don Coscarelli, 5 featurettes (Behind the Scenes, Giant Dwarf, Escape from Dawn’s Cabin, Cuda vs Sphere, and Phuntasm: Bloopers & Outtakes), plus deleted scenes. SRP is $29.98 and $24.98 each for Blu-ray and DVD respectively. Click on the cover artwork below to pre-order each from Amazon.com...

As you can see, we also included the cover artwork for David and Bathsheba (1951), which is coming on 1/10/17 from Kino Lorber (we’ll add the Amazon link as soon as it’s available).

That’s all for now. Back tomorrow with more new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray reviews. Happy Halloween!

There should be something for everyone in that batch, so we hope you enjoy them! Be sure to check back on Monday for more 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray reviews, as well as a new History, Legacy & Showmanship column from our own Michael Coate for a title that… well, let me give you a clue…

Meanwhile, know that I’m going to be spending the next few days working my way through a stack of new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and regular Blu-rays in order to post reviews here on The Bits, including some major 3rd and 4th quarter releases. And yes… you can expect that Disney’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens 3D – Collector’s Edition will be among them. So keep checking back for those as I knock them out. [Read on here…]

We’ve got some great announcement news for you today...

First, our friends at Kino Lorber have revealed that they’re going to be releasing the Coen Brothers’ Barton Fink (1991) on Blu-ray and DVD soon! Now if we can just get The Ladykillers (2004) on Blu-ray, I think that’s the complete Coen oeuvre.

It appears Kino has also gotten the rights to release The Wanderers (1979) and Josef von Sternberg’s final film Anatahan (1953) on Blu-ray and DVD too in the coming months, as they’re returning the films to theaters for a limited time in a new 2K restoration. Other Kino titles to look forward to include ZPG (Zero Population Growth) (1971) on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/3/17, The Good Son (1993) on Blu-ray (TBA), and Cyborg 2087 (1966), Dimension 5 (1966), and 8 Million Ways to Die (1986) on Blu-ray and DVD (TBA).

The Warner Archive has just revealed that they’re working on new Blu-ray editions of The Goodbye Girl (1977) and Time After Time (1979), each released with a new HD remaster of the film.

A company called Shriek Show has apparently gotten the rights to release Al Adamson’s Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971) on Blu-ray on 12/13. From the Amazon listing, “The special edition Blu-ray includes an audio commentary by writer/producer Sam Sherman, a documentary on Independent International Pictures, a rare alternate ending, deleted scenes, a deleted scene with Famous Monsters editor Forrest J Ackerman and Dracula, rare 8mm movie location footage, the original theatrical trailer, TV spot and an extensive photo gallery.” You can see the cover artwork below.

Shout! Factory has announced the DVD release of Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XXXVII on 11/22, featuring the previously unreleased episodes The Human Duplicators, Escape 2000, The Horror of Party Beach, and Invasion of the Neptune Men, plus extras.

Lionsgate has set the CG-animated The Wild Life for Blu-ray Combo and DVD release on 11/29. They also have Jackie Chan Presents: Amnesia coming on DVD and Digital HD on 1/3/17, followed by The Whole Truth (starring Keanu Reeves and Renee Zellweger) on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD on 1/17/17.

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is releasing Scream Queens: The Complete First Season on DVD on 12/6.

And for you U.K. readers, Eureka has set Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Creepy for Blu-ray/DVD Combo release on 23/1/17.

We’ll leave you with a look at the Blu-ray cover artwork for a few of the titles mentioned above (click on the covers to pre-order them on Amazon.com)…

In announcement news today, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has set the release of Morgan on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray formats for 12/13.

Whoever wins the World Series, you’ll be able to buy Major League Baseball: 2016 World Series Collector’s Edition from Shout! Factory on 12/13.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has set 12 Monkeys: Season Two for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/17/17. The studio has also set Battleship (2012) for release on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format that same day. Here’s hoping they’re considering Apollo 13 for 4K.

Broadgreen Entertainment has set The Dressmaker for Blu-ray and DVD release on 12/27, starring Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, and Hugo Weaving.

And Lionsgate will release Rob Zombie’s 31 on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/20.

Also today, if you’re an Xbox One S user who wants to dive more in to the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format, here’s good news: Engadget has confirmed that Microsoft is adding Dolby Atmos playback (via bitstream) to the console in a future free firmware update. There’s no word yet about DTS:X, but one would think that’s possible too and could happen at some point.

We’ll leave you with a look at the Blu-ray and 4K cover artwork for a few of the titles mentioned above and more (click on each to pre-order them on Amazon.com)...

After Friday’s web issues (which continued yesterday), we’re back with a normal daily news post here at The Bits and also some new disc reviews. But we’re going to be doing some additional work all this week to try and make some improvements to the server. So updates over the next few days may be a little spotty. However, we’re working on lots of new disc reviews, including Independence Day: Resurgence and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon on 4K Ultra HD which we hope to post later this week. [Read on here…]

This is interesting: It appears that 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is finally going back and releasing the early seasons of Prison Break on Blu-ray on 12/6 (specifically 1, 2, 3, and 4 - click the links to pre-order).

Well Go USA has set Phantasm: Ravager for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/6.

And Paramount’s Jack Reacher: Never Go Back is now available for pre-order on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format. Street date is TBA.

Here’s a look at some Blu-ray cover artwork for a few of the titles mentioned above and more…

In announcement news today, Universal has set Oliver Stone’s Snowden for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/20. No word yet of a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release.

Universal will also release Mr. Robot: Season Two on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/10 (SRP $49.98 and $44.98). Extras will include deleted scenes and a pair of featurettes (named as files: Careful.Massacre.of.the.Bourgeoisie.1984-VHSrip.mp4 and Behind_The_Mask_Mr_Robot_2.0.mov).

The Cohen Media Group has set Kent Jones’ Hitchcock/Truffaut documentary for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/20. Extras will include 5 featurettes (Q&A with Kent Jones & Noah Baumbach, An Appreciation of Notorious, Peter Bogdanovich Remembers Hitchcock, Richard Linklater on Truffaut, and Rope: Pro and Con).

Paramount’s Ben-Hur (2016) remake is available for Blu-ray and DVD pre-order on Amazon with a street date of 12/13. Again, no word of a 4K release yet.

Paramount has also set Florence Foster Jenkins for Blu-ray and DVD release on 12/13.

Cinedigm will release Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/13.

Shout! Factory has set Dead of Winter for Blu-ray release on 1/10.

Anchor Bay will release Larry Charles’ Army of One on Blu-ray and DVD on 11/15.

Image Entertainment has set a double feature of Crystal Lake Memories and Never Sleep Again for Blu-ray release on 1/10 as well.

Arrow Video has set Takashi Miike’s Black Society Trilogy (includes Shinjuku Triad Society, Rainy Dog, and Ley Lines) for 2-disc Special Edition release on Blu-ray on 1/17 (SRP $49.95). You’ll get new HD transfers of all three films, with original uncompressed PCM stereo audio and optional English subtitles. Extras will include new interviews with director Takashi Miike and actor Show Aikawa, new audio commentaries for all three films by Miike biographer Tom Mes, original theatrical trailers for all three films, and reversible sleeve packaging featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Chris Malbon. The first pressing will also include an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the films.

While we don’t have a street date yet, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has already set Gavin O’Connor’s The Accountant for pre-order on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray formats on Amazon.

Also coming soon from Kino Lorber are J. Lee Thompson’s What a Way to Go! (1964), Henry Koster’s No Highway in the Sky (1951), Henry King’s Prince of Foxes (1949), Paul Wendkos’ The Mephisto Waltz (1971), Allan Dwan’s Zaza (1923), and William Witney’s Sunset in the West (1950). And they’ve set Loophole (1981), Who? (1975), Stryker (1983), and The Internecine Project (1974) for Blu-ray and DVD release on 1/3, followed by Scavenger Hunt (1979), David and Bathsheba (1951), and The Unholy Four (1970) for 1/10.

Finally today, we’ve learned from Kino Lorber that they’re working on a long-awaited new Blu-ray release of Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat (1944), featuring a new audio commentary by film historian Tim Lucas, audio commentary by film professor Drew Casper, The Making of Lifeboat featurette, and an animated montage of images.

Here’s a look at the Blu-ray cover artwork for some of the titles listed above (click on each to pre-order them on Amazon.com)...

Today’s update is quick one, as we’re doing a lot of disc review work here this week.

To wit... our own Tim Salmons has just checked in with his thoughts on Shout! and Scream Factory’s new limited edition Blu-ray titles, including Message from Space, The Velvet Vampire, and Time Walker. They’re only available from the Shout! website and are limited to 1,000 copies each. Do give the reviews a look. Message from Space in particularly is worth your time. [Read on here…]

Also today, we’ve got a look for you at the final cover artwork for Universal’s upcoming Bourne catalog films in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format, as well as the final U.S. art for Sony’s newly-announced Underworld and Resident Evil: Afterlife on the format (see below). Don’t forget that you can click on each cover to pre-order the title on Amazon.com (and doing so helps to support our work here at The Bits, which we appreciate!)...

Hats off to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment; the studio is doing much in terms of releasing solid catalog titles on the new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format.

Case in point: The studio has just set the original Underworld for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release on 12/27. They’ve also set Resident Evil: Afterlife to follow on the format on 1/17. Both will include Dolby Atmos audio and High Dynamic Range, along with the previous Blu-ray release (with extras) and Digital HD versions. [Read on here…]

Here’s a look at the cover artwork for each, along with the 4K art for Sony’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (which we expect to review on The Bits very soon). Note that this is the International artwork. We should have the final U.S. art in tomorrow’s post. Click on the artwork for each to pre-order them on Amazon...

In December, you’ll get Stardust Memories (1980), Nicholas Nickleby (2002), The Barefoot Contessa (1954), The Keys of the Kingdom (1944), The Three Worlds of Gulliver (1960), and The Bullet Train (1975) all on 12/13.

Kicking off 2017, January will bring Stanley and Iris (1990), Comes a Horseman (1978), Two for the Road (1967), and The Mad Magician 3D (1954 – also includes Pardon My Backfire 3D (1953) and Spooks 3D (1953) in the same package) all on 1/17.

And in February, Twilight will deliver Chilly Scenes of Winter (1979), Interiors (1978), Kiss of Death (1947), and Edge of Eternity (1959) all on 2/14.

Also today, we’re hearing reports that a few people have actually gotten copies of The Thing: Collector’s Edition with the defective audio mix (see our review here). Guess a few slipped through. No worries though – if you’ve gotten one, contact Shout! Factory (via the e-mail form at this link) and they’ll exchange it for a good copy. The way to identify the defective version is that, during the testing scene, the creature screams a few seconds before MacReady puts the heated wire into the petri dish.

Now then, here’s a look at some new cover artwork, including all of the Criterion January Blu-ray titles, as well as a couple of Warner’s newly-announced 4K releases (click on the image links to pre-order them all on Amazon.com)…

We start with Disney, which has just set the live action Pete’s Dragon for release on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD, and Disney Movies Anywhere on 11/29. There’s no Blu-ray 3D version announced, which probably means that one will be released next year (following the pattern with Disney’s recent The Jungle Book and Star Wars: The Force Awakens). [Read on here…]

Audio on the Blu-ray will be DTS-HD Master Audio, and extras will include 4 featurettes (Notes to Self: A Director’s Diary, Making Magic, “Disappearing” Moments, and Welcome to New Zealand), audio commentary (by director David Lowery, co-writer Toby Halbrooks, and actors Oakes Fegley and Oona Laurence), 2 music videos (Nobody Knows by The Lumineers and Something Wild by Lindsey Stirling featuring Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness), and bloopers.

Here’s the other big news today: Our friends at The Criterion Collection have just announced their January Blu-ray and DVD slate, which is set to include Howard Hawks’ His Girl Friday (Cat #849 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 1/10, Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s Fox and His Friends (Cat #851 – Blu-ray, DVD, and Hulu Plus) and Jack Garfein’s Something Wild (Cat #850 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 1/17, and Ousmane Sembène’s Black Girl (Cat #852 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 1/24. All are welcome additions to the Collection. His Girl Friday especially is a classic, and one of our favorites here at The Bits, so great news indeed!

Also today, Universal has set Bridget Jones’s Baby for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/13. Extras will include deleted/alternate scenes, a gag reel, and the Full Circle: The Making of Bridget Jones’s Baby featurette.

FilmRise Entertainment has set Adam Nimoy’s documentary For the Love of Spock for Blu-ray release on 12/6.

And Lionsgate has set Hell or High Water for Blu-ray and DVD release on 11/22. There’s no word yet about a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray version.

On the horror front, Scream Factory has officially set David Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers: Collector’s Edition for Blu-ray release on 11/15, followed by the Rabid: Collector’s Edition on Blu-ray on 11/22. Dead Ringers is a 2-disc set that includes a new 2K scan of the film at the director’s preferred aspect ratio (1.66:1), a new audio commentary with writer William Beard (author of The Artist As Monster: The Cinema of David Cronenberg), audio commentary with actor Jeremy Irons, 4 new interview featurettes (Carey’s Story with Heidi Von Palleske, Working Artist with Stephen Lack, Connecting Tissues with special effects artist Gordon Smith, and Double Vision with director of photography Peter Suschitzky), vintage interviews (with Jeremy Irons, director/co-writer David Cronenberg, producer Marc Boyman and co-writer Norman Snider), a vintage Behind the Scenes featurette, and the film’s theatrical trailer. Rabid is a single disc release and includes a new 2K scan from the negative at Cronenberg’s preferred aspect ratio (1.66:1), a new audio interview with author Jill C. Nelson (Golden Goddesses: 25 Legendary Women of Classic Erotic Cinema, 1968-1985) and Marilyn Chambers’ personal appearances manager Ken Leicht, the new Young and Rabid interview featurette with actress Susan Roman, audio commentary with writer-director David Cronenberg, audio commentary with William Beard, archival interviews with Cronenberg, executive producer Ivan Reitman, and co-producer Don Carmody, the From Stereo to Video essay featurette, the film’s theatrical trailer, a TV spot, radio spots (U.S. and U.K.), and a still gallery.

AMC and Starz have set Fear the Walking Dead: Season Two for Blu-ray and DVD release on 12/13.

The Film Detective has announced a series of new 3-disc collections, available on Blu-ray and DVD. Out now is the Roger Corman Collection (which includes A Bucket of Blood, Dementia 13, and The Terror) and coming on 11/2 is the Film Noir Collection (includes Hollow Triumph, Kansas City Confidential, and The Red House). The SRP is $29.95 for the Blu-ray version and $19.99 for the DVD.

Anchor Bay Entertainment and Dimension Films have set Army of One for release on Digital HD on 11/4, followed by the Blu-ray Combo and DVD release on 11/15.

HBO has set Vice Principals: Season One for Digital HD only release on 10/17.

And Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has set the documentary One Day Since Yesterday: Peter Bogdanovich and the Lost American Film for DVD only on 10/18.

We’ll leave you with a look at the Blu-ray cover artwork for some of the titles listed above, with Amazon.com pre-order links if available...

In announcement news today, the Warner Archive has revealed that it’s bringing Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975) to Blu-ray. The release date is TBA, but the disc will include a new HD remaster of the film, with DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, and the theatrical trailer. [Read on here…]

It’s depressing to say this, but Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has just announced Sausage Party for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format on 11/8, with the digital HD release due on 11/1. Yay. Extras include a bunch of featurettes, a gag reel, etc. Not exactly the kind of title that anyone who’s a 4K fan really gets excited about, but there it is.

In other announcements, MPI Media Group has set The IT Crowd: The Complete Series for DVD release on 11/1.

Lionsgate Home Entertainment has set Decommissioned for release on DVD and Digital HD on 12/6.

20th Century Fox has set Family Guy: Season Fourteen for release on DVD on 12/6. Two different covers will be available. Extras will include deleted scenes, audio commentary (on Peternormal Activity, Candy Quahog Marshmallow!, A Lot Going on Upstairs, and Peter’s Sister), The Art of Family Guy, a full episode animatic on A Lot Going on Upstairs, and a Talking Animals Mash-Up.

HBO will release Ballers: Season Two on Digital HD on 10/24.

Hutson Ranch Media and Panic Ventures have set The ID for release on Blu-ray on 10/25.

For you music fans, Eagle Rock Entertainment release Heart: Live at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on DVD, Blu-ray, CD and Digital Formats on 12/2.